24 January 2006

ZIMBABWE: Cavaliers in control

By Paul Munyuki

KINGDOM Cavaliers moved to the top of the Harare Basketball Association League for the first time since their return to the elite league.

Kingdom Cavaliers were part of the teams that had left from the then Mashonaland Basketball Association to form a breakaway league that, however, was not recognised by the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe.

Jewels and Celtics were the other teams from Harare and we also joined by some teams from Matabeleland but as they were on the losing end, they came back to join their respective league as their players would not be selected in either the provincial or national teams.

And it was at the weekend that the former rebels Cavaliers managed to beat Black Rhinos 64-44 to move to the top of the log even in the absence of their coach Ronald Garura and team manager Selby Dzengere who did not bother to attend the match.

At the end of the day it was just the players who made the day for themselves with Martin Muchena acting as the player-coach.

Black Rhinos are in the deep of the mud as they are placed 15th, just one place away from bottom placed Swingmax All Stars.

Highdon Raiderz registered their 10th victory when they dismissed lowly Gentlemen’s Association 39-75 with Spence Nyamadzawo fighting a lone battle in attack for the losers.

Nyamadzawo was also the top scorer in the game after he came in with 23 points off seven three pointers and one inside shot but there was nothing much he could do to stop the Ngoni Mukukula coached side.

Pross, who are also the team of the moment in the basketball league, continued with their winning streak after they beat Tendai Zhakata’s Faithwear Jammers 69-83.

The game, played at the University of Zimbabwe courts, had to be decided in overtime after the two teams had closed the game tied at 68-68.

Pross then scored 15 points and managed to defend well only limiting Jammers to a point within five minutes of overtime.

The win ensured that Pross move closer to their dream as they went up two places from eighth to sixth.

Steve Mudawarima once again come in handy for Pross top scoring for his side with 28 points – all inside shots – with two free-throws while Francis Muvevi chipped in with 16 points.

Jammers responded through high scoring Michael Makanda who had 33 points against his name and this also became one of the highest individual scored this season.

Twelve of Makanda’s points came from free-throws as well while Lawrence Muyanganira added 17 points for the Mabvuku based side.

Celtics were in top form and secured a 99-21 win over Mbare Bull to mark the biggets score and win for the weekend.

Meanwhile, national champions Cameo are likely to return to action this weekend while UZ Stars are like ly to return to action in February.

Cameo have not thrown a ball since the second half resumed as they did not have a game in the first week and this weekend they were supposed to play UZ Stars who are on break from college.